Handheld personal digital assistants (like PalmPilots) were once pricey, adult-only gizmos. Not anymore. New PDAs designed for kids and decorated in candy colors and cartoon characters are flooding store shelves. The PDAs aren’t as pricey or as technically sophisticated as adult versions, but they come with their own set of tricks. We asked Kylee E., 11, of Libertyville to test two new devices, Tiger Electronics’ e.chat ($30) and Tech Girl’s PlanGirl ($15). Here’s her take:
Both PDAs were great and fun to use. But before you buy them, check to see if they are allowed at your school (they aren’t at mine). The e.chat was more of an e-mailing, fun toy, and the PlanGirl was a planner. The e.chat exchanges notes with other e.chat units up to 100 feet away. It has a phone book, notepad, calculator and clock. The PlanGirl stores addresses, phone numbers and to-do lists. Both have password-protected features, which I like because nobody could get in them but me.
The PlanGirl would be great in organizing your homework assignments if you take the time to enter all the information. I have a feeling, though, that the novelty would wear off and you would find it easier and faster to write everything in a notebook planner.
I liked the chat thing that the e.chat had on it. I could message to the other e.chat in different parts of the house at any time. I don’t think it’d be good to have in school, because it would be too tempting to send messages to friends in class! But it was so much fun playing around on it that I would buy one even if I did not use it for school.
Both units have advantages and are worth the money. If you want to send messages to friends, get the e.chat. If you want something for organizing and scheduling, use the PlanGirl.
Find e.chat and PlanGirl at toy stores.
